Narrow Stingless Bee

Fascinating facts about the Narrow Stingless Bee

• Only a grain of sand long, Tetragonisca angustula measures just 4-5 mm. It belongs to the stingless Meliponini tribe, so it has no functional stinger at all. Because it builds tiny, unobtrusive nests, the species thrives in city walls, garden sheds and even abandoned termite chambers.
• Around 1-6 % of the colony are soldier bees, each weighing about 30 % more than ordinary foragers and sporting longer hind legs. These oversized guards patrol the wax entrance tube, a 2 cm long, 0.6 cm wide passage that can be sealed at night. Their keen nest-mate recognition means they never turn away a true member, yet they reject roughly 8 % of intruders, a far lower error rate than any other bee studied. This elite guard force compensates for the species' stinglessness, keeping the hive safe from predators and rival insects.
• When a new nest is needed, a young queen and a handful of workers leave the mother colony in a swarm that can contain up to 10,000 bees, but fewer than 10 % actually relocate to the fresh cavity. Scouts search for a site for two days to two weeks, usually only a few hundred meters away, so the two nests stay linked for up to six months. During this period the mother supplies pollen, honey and cerumen to the offspring nest, yet the new home starts with only a tiny store compared to its parent. This prolonged connection lets the fledgling colony survive its vulnerable start before it fully severs ties.
• Foragers rarely travel far, typically staying within 600 m of their hive, a short range compared with larger honey-bees. They gather nectar, pollen and resin mostly around noon, but unlike many stingless bees they do not recruit nest-mates to rich flowers. Instead, each bee relies on personal experience, using odors it directly contacts and visual memories of previous trips. Experiments show they respond to odor priming only when the scent touches them, not when it merely wafts in the hive.
• The honey of T. angustula, called "miel de angelita," can fetch up to ten times the price of regular honey in markets of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. Its higher moisture content and greater acidity give it a complex flavor that differs from honey produced by common honey-bees. Scientists have also found antibacterial compounds in both the honey and the propolis that inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, hinting at medicinal value. This premium product makes the tiny stingless bee a valuable resource for beekeepers.

Sources

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• Wikipedia

At a glance

About the Narrow Stingless Bee

The Narrow Stingless Bee, scientifically known as Tetragonisca angustula, is a remarkable species that showcases the intricate beauty and complexity of the Apidae family. These diminutive bees, measuring about 5 to 7 millimeters in length, are characterized by their elongated bodies, distinctively rounded abdomens, and a strikingly vibrant golden-yellow coloration. Found predominantly in the tropical regions of Central and South America, these bees thrive in a variety of habitats, from lush rainforests to urban gardens. Their nests, often constructed in hollow trees or crevices, are composed of wax and resin, creating a unique architecture that offers protection and insulation. The social structure of Tetragonisca angustula is fascinating, as they live in small colonies led by a queen, with worker bees tirelessly foraging for nectar and pollen to sustain their community. The diet of these bees is primarily nectar and pollen, which they skillfully collect from a diverse range of flowering plants, playing a crucial role in pollination. One surprising trait of the Narrow Stingless Bee is their ability to produce honey, albeit in smaller quantities than their sting-bearing counterparts. This honey is not only a vital food resource for the colony but is also prized for its unique flavor and medicinal properties, making it sought after by local communities. As these bees flit from flower to flower, they inadvertently contribute to the ecological balance, ensuring the proliferation of various plant species. Their intricate relationships within ecosystems highlight their importance, yet they remain largely understudied, leaving much to be discovered about their behaviors and interactions with the environment.

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